This last weekend while eating at a restaurant a friend of mine choked to death. The first thing that goes through your mind is why someone didn’t give him the Heimlich maneuver. Actually several people tried unsuccessfully to give it. He was a large man and his size may have made it hard to accomplish. The paramedics were unsuccessful in an attempt to resuscitate him.

Since then I have talked to several medical people about the Heimlich maneuver and have learned a lot. First it doesn’t always work. One friend who is a paramedic in Canada says that their procedure is to try the Heimlich 5 times, then bend the person over and strike between the shoulder blades with the palm of your hand 5 times and then repeat the Heimlich 5 more times. Continue until the blockage pops or the person passes out. If they go unconscious start CPR.

I was also told that many people will run into the bathroom thinking they are going to throw up. This is a big mistake and sometimes they just die alone in the bathroom. If you are choking victim, hold your hand up to your throat and try to attract attention.

If the person can still cough or talk, do not give the Heimlich maneuver, get them to medical attention, so that the blockage can be removed.

So how do you perform the Heimlich maneuver?

First ask, “Are you choking? Can you speak?” DO NOT perform first aid if the person is coughing forcefully and is able to speak. A strong cough can often dislodge the object.

If the person is choking, perform abdominal thrusts as follows:

If the person is sitting or standing, position yourself behind the person and reach your arms around his or her waist. For a child, you may have to kneel.

Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person’s navel (belly button).

Grasp the fist tightly with your other hand.

Make quick, upward and inward thrusts with your fist.

If the person is lying on his or her back, straddle the person facing the head. Push your grasped fist upward and inward in a movement similar to the one above.

You may need to repeat the procedure several times before the object is dislodged. If repeated attempts do not free the airway, call 911.

I think everyone should be aware of the dangers of choking and the importance of knowing the Heimlich maneuver. You never know when you might be faced with an emergency. First Aid and CPR training courses are available all over the place and are relatively inexpensive. Plus, many of them are flexible to your scheduling needs so there really is no excuse for not taking them.